DCNS delivers multi-mission frigate Provence, the second FREMM for the French Navy

On June 12th in Brest, DCNS delivered the FREMM multi-mission frigate Provence to the French Navy, as stipulated in the contract. This frigate is the second of the series ordered by OCCAR on behalf of the DGA (French armament procurement agency).

Delivery of the FREMM multi-mission frigate Provence is the result of a design and construction process managed by DCNS in close cooperation with the French Navy, DGA and OCCAR teams.

All DCNS sites, its partners and subcontractors took part to this technological and industrial success to ensure compliance with the industrial milestones, in particular the launching in September 2013 and the first sea outing in September 2014.

The delivery of the second series to the French Navy took place just a few weeks after the first successful firing in Europe of a naval cruise missile from the first-of-class, the FREMM Aquitaine.

The sale of a frigate to the Royal Moroccan Navy and the Egyptian Navy, as well as the announcement of the launch of the intermediate-size frigates programme, boost DCNS ambitions for international development thanks to a broader offer of first of rank surface ships.

“The delivery of the FREMM Provence represents an opportunity to applaud the industrial and technological prowess of DCNS and its subcontractors. It underlines our ability to produce first of rankcombat ships that meet our client navies needs, such as those of Morocco and Egypt,” stated Anne Bianchi, Director of FREMM programmes. “Today, we are proud to deliver this second ship to the French Navy.”

SETIS®, one of the most effective sea-proven combat systems on the market

The delivery of the FREMM Provence marks the culmination in the ramping up of SETIS®, the latest-generation combat system developed by DCNS. The ship is now equipped with a cutting-edge solution that is perfectly integrated on board. Indeed, the successful firing of the naval cruise missile on May 19th 2015 from the FREMM Aquitaine is a demonstration of the anti-land warfare capabilities directed at targets located deep in enemy territory. Added to the anti-submarine, anti-surface and anti-air warfare capabilities, the FREMM has now reached its full technological capabilities.

“DCNS has successfully accomplished this essential step for the FREMM SETIS® combat system. We are proud to have contributed to the successful firing of a cruise missile from a surface ship, a first in Europe. This result is a demonstration of DCNS expertise in the area of the design and integration of combat systems,” stressed Anne Bianchi.

Four FREMM at different stages of construction at DCNS Lorient Shipyard

For DCNS, the FREMM programme currently involves the construction of ten frigates, eight of them for the French Navy. Six of these are to be delivered by 2019 and the remaining two frigates, equipped with extended anti-aircraft capabilities, will be delivered before 2022. Two other were sold for export clients: the Royal Moroccan Navy and the Egyptian Navy.

The delivery of the FREMM Provence takes place at a time when the FREMM programme is powering ahead on the DCNS site in Lorient. To date, three FREMM frigates are under construction and one is being prepared before being delivered:

The FREMM Aquitaine, first in series, delivered in 2012.

The FREMM Mohammed VI, for the Royal Moroccan Navy, delivered in 2014.

The FREMM Provence, delivered today, 12 June 2015.

The FREMM intended for the Egyptian Navy, formerly the FREMM Normandie, will be delivered in summer 2015.

The FREMM Languedoc will make its first sea outing in autumn 2015.

The FREMM Auvergne is currently in the final stages of construction and will be launched in September 2015.

The FREMM Bretagne is currently being assembled.

Technical characteristics of the FREMMs

The FREMM multi-mission frigate is one of the most technologically advanced and competitive ships on the market. Its versatility and manoeuvrability meet the operational requirements of numerous navies around the world. Equipped with high-tech sensors and weapons, integrated with the SETIS® latest-generation combat system developed by DCNS, the frigate can counter all types of threats, whether air, surface, submarine or land-based.

The heavily armed FREMM is equipped with the most effective weapons systems and equipment, such as the Herakles multifunction radar, the Aster and Exocet MM 40 missiles, or the MU 90 torpedoes. It is innovative and offers unequalled levels of interoperability and availability. This combat ship is capable of meeting the expectations of numerous navies.